The Many Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese form of exercise, provides benefits beyond the physical.

According to Dr. Eleanor Lisbon, owner of Exhale Boutique Fitness Studio, located at 39th & Gilham, research shows that meditative aspects of Tai Chi can help relieve stress and improve concentration.

Individuals struggling with mood swings may find that Tai Chi will help them stabilize their moods.

For older people, Tai Chi may enhance the ability to reason, plan, remember, and solve problems.

Those with dementia may experience a boost in cognitive ability.

Of course, with all these benefits, it can also improve self-esteem.

Master Chen, who teaches at Exhale, comes from a long line of Tai Chi masters and hails from Chen Village in China, where Tai Chi originated. She says,

“Practicing Tai Chi has been shown to have great psychological benefits for all ages, from children to senior citizens. They include reductions in anxiety, stress, tension, depression, and anger, as well as improvement of your quality of sleep and overall psychological well-being in everyday physical and mental functioning.”

Author: Martha Childers

Martha Childers, EdS, LPC is a psychotherapist specializing in helping individuals aged 50+, couples and women. Martha is a licensed professional counselor in Missouri and Kansas. She received her masters and education specialist degrees in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She practiced Zen through a variety of Japanese traditional arts for 3-1/2 years. Since that time, mindfulness has been an integral part of her life. Her interest in human nature, beliefs, and life styles led her to become a counselor.